Etchu

Annually in late July (4 days)

Fukumitsu Netsuokuri Tanabata Festival

This “Netsuokuri,” or “farewell to heat” festival has been held for about 300 years and is used to pray both against crop damage from insects and for an abundant harvest. In addition to these traditional festivities, a festival is also held on the Fukumitsu Main Street. For this festival streets are closed off to cars and decorated with Tanabata (Star Festival) decorations, great taiko drums are beaten, traditional folk dances are performed, and fireworks along with other colorful events are held in lavish fashion. Additionally, festival participants beat drums as they circle the rice fields during the traditional parts of the Netsuokuri festival, which is held on the third day of festivities, Saturday, throughout Fukumitsu.